4 Simple Ways to Get Your Kids in the Kitchen

Here are some easy ways to get children excited about cooking delicious and nutritious foods in the kitchen.

Choose Age-Appropriate Tasks

Even young kids can pitch in by dunking tea bags in water to make Lipton® unsweetened iced tea. Older children can handle a sturdy serrated plastic knife to slice textured fresh produce such as oranges or apples.

Teach Kitchen Safety

Make sure all children know what’s hot. Kid-size oven mitts and cooking tools are a plus. Use nonslip stools so that little kids are at the correct height to perform tasks safely at the counter.

Inspire Creativity

When kids come up with their own recipes, it can be a win for the whole family. Using the Knorr Sides to Center technique, invite children to choose their favorite vegetables and lean protein to combine with Knorr Rice Sides or Knorr Pasta Sides. (Link opens in new window.) The result is a nutritious main meal that should make your kid chef proud. Check out the Creamy Bruschetta Chicken recipe or visit knorr.com (Link opens in new window.)  for more inspiration.

Make It Fun

Encouraging kids to cook can help instill a lifelong passion for healthy eating. Children can lend a hand preparing a delicious Spinach Dip using Hellmann’s® Mayonnaise. (Link opens in new window.)

“Dip recipes are easy to make with the help of the whole family and are also fun to eat, especially with a variety of fresh vegetables and whole-grain crackers,” says Gina Ruskie, RDN, Nutrition and Health Manager at Unilever.

Stick with the Classics

Trying out new recipes can be fun, but sometimes when getting started sticking with classics that kids love can help them be more excited to help with meal prep. Try recipes like this Perfectly Crispy Grilled Cheese, Dairy Free Mac & Cheese, Birthday Cake Ice Cream Cupcakes or Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cookies. These recipes are simple to make yet full of flavors that kids love!

Follow these steps to get your young ones lending a hand in the kitchen! For more recipe inspiration the whole family can enjoy, check out our family-friendly recipe section.